updated 05:58 am EST, Tue November 6, 2012

Improved 39-point AF, same physical construction

Nikon has revealed its soon to be released follow-up to the D5100 DSLR. The third in the series of cameras, the D5200 has only marginal physical changes externally, but the internals have been upgraded significantly. The biggest improvement is the inclusion of the 24.1-megapixel DC-format CMOS sensor combined with the new EXPEED 3 image processor.

The autofocus system, metering and scene recognition has received an overhaul, borrowing heavily from the D7000 series. A 39-point AF system with nine cross-type sensors replaces the 11 points of the D5100, and the 2,016-pixel RGB metering sensor uses almost five times the pixels of the previous model. The user interface has been modernized, a new stereo microphone on the flip-up flash replaces the single microphone on the side of the D5100, and support for the WU-1a wireless adapter has also been included. The rear vari-angle LCD monitor, the most welcomed improvement to the D5100 from the D5000, is kept exactly the same.

The D5200 is expected to be out in December for around £700 ($1,100) for the body-only option. Packages including lenses have not been revealed as of yet.

I have a 5100 and think it's the duck's nuts. Just the right size for my hands, enough controls on the body to play with, but not so many my eyes glaze over, and it takes images that make me look competent. I can only imagine that the 5200 would be all this and more. My next step would be to a D600, though, for the full-frame sensor and other goodies. Since I want a new iMac, my chance of any camera upgrades is looking pretty slim. Oh and I want a new video camera. And Santa can you please bring me a ...:lol: